Every year, the Tailhook Association meets in Reno, Nevada at The Nugget Hotel and Casino for their big conference. Josh is a member and tries to get there each year. I have never been able to go with him before, but have always wanted to. I would love to see the convention, but really I've been drooling over the Hot Air Balloon Race that always happens on the same weekend. This year we finally got to go! We drove up there on Friday with the kids and the dog and checked into The Nugget. I got the kids in bed while Josh headed downstairs for some Tailhook fun with all of his fellow aviators.
The next morning was brutal. I was up at 3:30 and we had everyone out the door by 4 to get over to where the balloons would be. Why so early, you wonder...well, the festivities start in the dark. They have several balloons that participate in what is called the "glow show", where they light up for everyone to see--sometimes in sync with music. Immediately following, these balloons ascend in the dark for the "dawn patrol". This year's dawn patrol consisted of six balloons. It was so cool to see them all lit up against a dark morning sky.
I should mention, that it was so unbelievably chilly. We were dressed for it to be cool, but not quite as cool as it was. Lesson learned!
After the dawn patrol, the pilots began setting up their balloons. We watched a couple of them get things started right in front of us before deciding to hike up a hillside for a better view...
We hiked up a small hill and settled in for the real show--the mass ascension. This by far was one of the coolest things I have ever seen. I loved every freezing cold moment of it. I think everyone else did too! If we are still living here in the years to come, I forsee the Keevers making this a yearly event!
